Rental IDP Checker — licence, vehicle, Viti Levu routes

Two parallel rules. LTA Fiji's published policy is that any foreign licence in English (or with a certified translation) is valid for stays under 12 months. Below 12 months, an IDP is optional for the legal driving test — but most rental companies won't hand you the keys without one if your licence is non-Latin alphabet. US, UK, Canadian, Australian, NZ, and Indian licences are all in English and Latin script; Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Arabic licences are not.

Avoid a rental-counter surprise. Avis, Budget, Hertz and Budget's local partner Rosie's Rentals ask for the IDP at the desk for any non-English licence. Even an Australian licence, technically accepted by LTA, can be refused on weekends when the supervisor is off and the dispatcher wants the IDP as a fallback. Carry both.

Where to get an IDP before you fly. AA (UK), AAA (US), CAA (NZ), CAMS (Australia), and ADAC (EU) issue IDPs for FJD 25–60 with a same-day turnaround. Some are postal only — apply 3–4 weeks ahead. In Fiji, the LTA office in Suva issues on the day for FJD 80 with your home licence + a certified translation. Don't count on the day-of-rental.

Vehicle logic. Nadi–Denarau, Nadi–Suva via Queens Road, and most of Coral Coast are sealed, two-lane, and comfortable in a sedan. The Pacific Harbour to Suva road (through Navua) has intermittent sealed sections and landslip-prone edges; a 4WD adds margin. The Sigatoka–Nadi highland detour through the Sigatoka Valley (Tuvu, Lomolomo) is unpaved for 30–50 km and not advisable in a sedan, especially after rain.

Enforcement reality. LTA roadside checks near Nadi and along Queens Road do sometimes ask to see both licence and IDP. Most officers are happy with the home licence plus a passport, but a minority will issue a FJD 80 spot fine if the licence is non-English. A tourist who can produce a passport + IDP inside 24 hours at the LTA counter pays the fine with no conviction.

• Not legal advice. LTA's published rules are the legal baseline; rental company policy is what actually matters when you collect the car.
• Not a guarantee the rental desk will accept the licence. Each franchise has its own risk tolerance.
• Not a substitute for insurance. Driving without a valid licence voids the rental company's insurance. Get the IDP if the calculator says you need one.
• Not for motorcycle rental. Bikes have a separate 50 cc / 125 cc / open-end licence tier. This calculator covers cars only.
• Not for stays over 12 months. Over 12 months you need a Fiji licence, full stop — apply at LTA Suva.